Dual pump assembly

Abstract

The apparatus of the present invention provides a compact dual-pump assembly for an automotive transmission. The dual-pump assembly preferably includes a housing having a valve assembly mounted thereto. The valve assembly includes a shuttle valve disposed in fluid communication with a pressure regulating valve. An on-axis pump is mounted to the housing in fluid communication with the shuttle valve and the pressure regulating valve. An off-axis pump in fluid communication with the shuttle valve is mounted to the housing in close proximity to the on-axis pump such that the dual-pump assembly is compact.

1. A dual-pump assembly configured for delivering fluid to a transmission, the dual-pump assembly comprising:
 a housing configured for installation into the transmission; 
 a valve body mounted to said housing and including a shuttle valve and a pressure regulating valve; 
 a first pump mounted to said housing and configured for being driven by output from a running engine; 
 wherein said shuttle valve is mounted between said first pump and said pressure regulating valve so that fluid output from said first pump may pass through said shuttle valve before the fluid is delivered to said pressure regulating valve; 
 wherein a center axis of said first pump is coextensive with the center axis of an input shaft of the transmission; and 
 a second pump mounted to said housing and configured for being driven by a device other than the running engine; 
 wherein a central axis of said second pump is different from the center axis of the input shaft of the transmission. 
 
     
     
       2. The dual-pump assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fluid transfer channels defined by said housing and said valve body, wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is configured to transfer fluid between said first pump, said second pump, said shuttle valve, and said pressure regulating valve. 
     
     
       3. The dual-pump assembly of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is configured to transfer fluid to the transmission. 
     
     
       4. The dual-pump assembly of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is integrally cast into said housing. 
     
     
       5. The dual pump assembly of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is integrally cast into said valve body. 
     
     
       6. The dual pump assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said housing is composed of die cast aluminum. 
     
     
       7. The dual pump assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said housing is composed of cast iron. 
     
     
       8. A dual-pump assembly configured for delivering fluid to a transmission, the dual-pump assembly comprising:
 a housing configured for installation into the transmission; 
 a shuttle valve mounted to said housing; 
 a pressure regulating valve mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said shuttle valve; 
 a first pump mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said shuttle valve and said pressure regulating valve; and 
 a second pump mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said shuttle valve; 
 wherein said shuttle valve is mounted between said first pump and said pressure regulating valve so that fluid output from said first pump may pass through said shuttle valve before the fluid is delivered to said pressure regulating valve. 
 
     
     
       9. The dual pump assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a valve body mounted to said housing. 
     
     
       10. The dual-pump assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of fluid transfer channels defined by said housing and said valve body, wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is configured to transfer fluid between said first pump, said second pump, said shuttle valve, and said pressure regulating valve. 
     
     
       11. The dual-pump assembly of  claim 10 , wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is integrally cast into said housing. 
     
     
       12. The dual pump assembly of  claim 11 , wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is integrally cast into said valve body. 
     
     
       13. The dual pump assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said housing is composed of die cast aluminum. 
     
     
       14. The dual pump assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said housing is composed of cast iron. 
     
     
       15. A dual-pump assembly configured for delivering fluid to a transmission, the dual-pump assembly comprising:
 a housing configured for installation into the transmission; 
 a valve body mounted to said housing, said valve body including a shuttle valve in fluid communication with a pressure regulating valve; 
 a first pump mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said shuttle valve and said pressure regulating valve; 
 a second pump mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said shuttle valve; and 
 a plurality of fluid transfer channels defined by said housing and said valve body, wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is configured to transfer fluid between said first pump, said second pump, said shuttle valve, and said pressure regulating valve; 
 wherein said shuttle valve is mounted between said first pump and said pressure regulating valve so that fluid output from said first pump may pass through said shuttle valve before the fluid is delivered to said pressure regulating valve; 
 wherein fluid output from said first pump and fluid output from said second pump may combine and pass through said shuttle valve before the fluid is delivered to the transmission. 
 
     
     
       16. The dual-pump assembly of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is integrally cast into said housing. 
     
     
       17. The dual pump assembly of  claim 16 , wherein one or more of said plurality of fluid transfer channels is integrally cast into said valve body. 
     
     
       18. The dual pump assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said housing is composed of die cast aluminum. 
     
     
       19. The dual pump assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said housing is composed of cast iron.